WASHINGTON – This election year, Native Americans will have a rare opportunity to vote for a candidate who knows their issues well and has worked with them for years. Yet, Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s long history with Indian country may be hurting him as much as helping. As a senator from Arizona, a state […]

4:51 a.m. A purple bike named a “trail blazer” was recovered in Kalispell. 10:05 a.m. Someone in Columbia Falls had four flat tires. 12:37 p.m. Two young men tried to get into a house, but the door was locked. 1:02 p.m. A bag filled with 12 puppies was found. All but two of the puppies […]

The Flathead County sheriff says a Pennsylvania man drowned while attempting to swim across the Flathead River over the weekend. Sheriff Mike Meehan says 25-year-old Adam Podufal of Girard, Pa., dove in the river around 4 p.m. Saturday in an area called “Devil’s Elbow” just below the Hungry Horse Dam. Meehan says Podufal swam across […]

Good morning and happy birthday Sean Connery. On the Beacon this morning, authorities have recovered the body of a man who went missing after swimming in the South Fork of the Flathead River. There are big changes in store for students at Bigfork Elementary School. A Kila man is headed to the world archery championships. […]

Last week, as I enjoyed a family vacation in Denver, the excitement for an upcoming event was palpable. It wasn’t an athletic team – the Rockies are dismal this year – or a big rock band causing the fuss. It was the Democratic National Convention. Decorative signs were being hung around the city. The hotel […]

In Montana, it’s rare for theatergoers to have the opportunity to see an Academy Award-winning actor perform live on stage. And it’s unprecedented to have one premiere their work here. On Tuesday, Aug. 26, Olympia Dukakis is set to open and perform in “Another Side of the Island,” her adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” […]

When the tiny Copperleaf Chocolate Company jumped into a larger shop on the corner of Central Avenue and Third Street in Whitefish this summer, it blossomed into a full-blown dessert heaven with a Old World flair. Chocolatier Susan Schnee not only doubled the exquisite hand-made chocolates she crafts, but added artful mouth-watering desserts delectable enough […]

The other day, this guy waved at me, beckoning me to come over to where he was sitting, and he was pretty hard to miss, since his hand was wrapped in an elaborate bandage. “I wanted to ask you about handling knives,” he said. “I think I made a few mistakes.” He told me he […]

WASHINGTON – The bunting’s hung. The podiums are almost finished. As the two big parties that govern America ready for their quadrennial conventions, the question on the minds of many political pros is … well, OK, it’s who the vice presidential picks will be. But they’re also wondering something else: What’s happened to the bounce? […]

DENVER – A look of concern grew across Gretchen Bunn’s face as she thought about what might happen Monday when Democrats come to town for the second time in a century Will there be traffic jams, protesters, even riots, worried the saleswoman at Rockmount Ranch Wear, standing amid floral western shirts and cowboy boots. It’s […]

Construction of a new section of the Pedestrian and Bike Path is nearing completion and, although the pavement has just dried, it is already increasing in popularity. The new trail extends for two miles along Wisconsin Avenue from Edgewood Place to Alpine Court, providing a safe place for evening walks, morning jogs and leisurely bike […]

The Flathead County Library System has a full board again, bringing a degree of closure to a summer of uncertainty. On Aug. 14, Flathead County commissioners filled the three remaining board positions, appointing Kristi Hatfield to the Columbia Falls opening, Connie Leistiko to the Kalispell seat and Terry Peterson to the Whitefish spot. The board […]

Zane Smith used to shoot bow and arrow for fun. It’s still fun now, but there’s more at stake than a broken arrow. The 38-year-old Smith, who placed second at the Field Archery National Championships in Spokane in June, will reach the pinnacle of his brief yet successful endeavor into competitive archery when he takes […]

BIGFORK – Driving by the orange cones, heavy machinery and dirt, it may not look like Bigfork Elementary will be ready for the first day of classes, but Superintendent Russ Kinzer said construction is right on schedule. There will, however, be several changes when the school does open its doors. Registration, starting on Aug. 25, […]

HELENA – Barack Obama plans to return to Montana next week, holding a campaign event in Billings the day before he is scheduled to accept the Democratic presidential nomination. Wednesday’s trip will be Obama’s fifth to the state since his campaign began. His last visit came on the Fourth of July, when he attended a […]